TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- The Kansas City Chiefs reportedly traded for their quarterback of the future last week and used their franchise tag Monday on left tackle Branden Albert.

So what does that have to do with former Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner?

Potentially everything.

The impending acquisition of San Francisco 49ers' Alex Smith eliminated any thoughts that the Chiefs would use the NFL Draft's No. 1 overall pick on a quarterback. And while retaining Albert, a five-year starter, by no means guarantees that the Chiefs will avoid selecting a left tackle, it certainly doesn't aid the perception that they will.

Most NFL Draft analysts projected Texas A&M left tackle Luke Joeckel -- or even Central Michigan's Eric Fisher -- to land with the Chiefs. Now, they're not so certain.

"Milliner now has shot at being first CB ever taken No. 1 overall," NFL.com senior analyst Gil Brandtwrote on his Twitter account. "Not saying it will happen, but pieces falling into place."

Matt Miller, a longtime NFL Draft analyst, wrote that he's now pegging Milliner to land with the Chiefs -- if they keep the pick.

"For the record: I wouldn't draft Milliner No. 1 overall, but if KC doesn't go OL, he's the next best thing," Miller wrote on his Twitter account.

At last week's NFL Combine, new coach Andy Reid said the Chiefs were "evaluating everything" when he was asked if the team would consider trading the pick.

"We're just not going to give it away, so we'd have to see what people throw our way," Reid said.
"It's a pretty valuable pick I'd say."

Milliner, a unanimous first-team All-American who is considered to be the best defensive back in this year's class, was one of the Combine's standout performers, presumably solidifying his status as a top 10 selection. He ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash, the second-best among cornerbacks.

The buzz surrounding Milliner shortly after the combine centered on the Detroit Lions, who hold the fifth pick and are in the market for a cornerback. It's now in doubt whether he'll be available that far into the draft.

Alabama has not had a player selected No. 1 overall during the post-NFL/AFL merger. Quarterback Harry Gilmer was the first player selected in the 1948 NFL Draft and Joe Namath went first overall in the 1965 AFL Draft.

In the modern era, linebacker Cornelius Bennett went second overall to the Indianapolis Colts in 1987.

"I feel like I am the best DB in all of this," Milliner said. "No offense to all them other DB's, just I believe in what I can do and all
the plays that I can make."